National week of action to target business crime

The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) is holding a week of action to combat business crime across the country.

The business crime week of action sees police forces and organisations working together to carry out targeted operations, sharing educational material through social media and engagement with local businesses to raise awareness of business crime in the local area.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, said:

“Businesses are a key part of local communities and when they are targeted by criminals it can have a devastating impact on both the business and the surrounding area.

“As well as being a target for fraud, businesses can also be subject to theft and robbery with their staff coming face to face with criminals. Preventing and tackling crime is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan and I am committed to protecting Cheshire’s businesses.”

In the 2022 Cyber Security Breaches Survey, it was reported that in the last 12 months, 39% of UK businesses identified a cyber-attack. According to the NBCC, the average cost of a cyber-attack for a smaller business is £4,200 with the cost rising to £19,400 for medium and large businesses, however this doesn’t consider the potential damage to the business’ reputation and loss of confidence from consumers.

Businesses that trade on high streets or town centres are being encouraged to display the ShopKind messaging in their stores. The ShopKind campaign aims to tackle abuse and violence against retail works by asking people to ShopKind when in stores.

ShopKind aims to:

• Encourage positive behaviours in shops
• Acknowledge the important role of shopworkers
• Highlight the scale and impact of violence and abuse against shopworkers
  

John Dwyer added:

“In my Police and Crime Plan, I also talk about my commitment to continuing conversations with fraud agencies to ensure Cheshire’s businesses have the most reliable and up to date support available. Since so many fraud offences are carried out internationally, this means local action cannot be taken, making awareness the key to tackling this type of business crime.

“It is also important to me that I engage with local business networks to understand how crime affects them. I am currently working on a programme of events, alongside Cheshire Constabulary, to deliver advisory sessions to organisations and businesses across the county on key crime-related issues.”

For more information about the National Business Crime Centre or to download ShopKind materials, visit: 

http:/www.nbcc.police.uk/business-support/shopkind/shopkind